How about a "turn around?" Commuter cars with a better life... (sorry, not my video)...

I remember seeing shots of these cars in the past on one of the shortlines that runs excursions but can't remember which line it was...

That's an incredible video, Mr. LaBoda ! !

After watching what appears to be a glimpse of a superior civilization, I went to the website referenced at the end, and my appetite was whetted even more. I was properly jaundiced when preparing to look at the pricing page, and ended up doubting my own eyes. Even the top-end, all-day rail cruise, including four-course gourmet dinner, works out to only about $1 per km. ($1.61 per mile). I don't know how they make any money on this operation, but the experience looks to be worth every penny they're asking for it.

« Last Edit: Apr 18th, 2012, 10:04am by NH_FL9_2017 »

Logged

Re: Through cars/commuter cars

« Reply #250 on: Apr 18th, 2012, 11:43am »

HFM -

MOPAC can be a bewildering study unto itself. See excellent MOPAC Historical Society work on all of it. MOPAC equipment policies involved buying and selling of various equipment types, so to adjust to known needs...

In addition, MOPAC also relied on early EAGLE equipment, from local area builders, A C F and ST LOUIS CAR. The builder products not otherwise widely seen among other railroads.

In photo shown, likely an earlier EAGLE Car? Absent its MOPAC original number, it is difficult to trace heritage...

Re: Through cars/commuter cars

« Reply #254 on: Apr 18th, 2012, 12:07pm »

HFM -

MOPAC can be a bewildering study unto itself. See excellent MOPAC Historical Society work on all of it. MOPAC equipment policies involved buying and selling of various equipment types, so to adjust to known needs...

In addition, MOPAC also relied on early EAGLE equipment, from local area builders, A C F and ST LOUIS CAR. The builder products not otherwise widely seen among other railroads.

In photo shown, likely an earlier EAGLE Car? Absent its MOPAC original number, it is difficult to trace heritage...

.........................Vern.......................

Vern.....

Appreciate "heads up" on MOPAC Historical Society; have to check this out later!

By the 70's, as has been documented here, the CNJ (through the NJDOT) had aquired quite an assorted collection of second-hand through equipment, including rolling stock from the BN, GN, MOPAC, and "The Rock".

After the last of the new P-S push-pulls were delivered to the E-L, the ex-SF cars were again displaced, running out their remaining years on the NY&LB.

As I've noted upon throughout this topic, these cars were mixed blessings to the commuting crowds.

While surely, they appreciated more up-to-date, air-conditioned rolling stock, they quickly found it vexing to having to contend with only one car door per side when boarding and unloading; "standard" commuter coaches of that day featured vestibule entrances at each end of the car..

Certainly, this increased dwell times at stations, especially at the rush hours.............

« Last Edit: Apr 18th, 2012, 1:02pm by NH_FL9_2017 »

Logged

Re: Through cars/commuter cars

« Reply #258 on: Apr 18th, 2012, 1:15pm »

HFM -

Well, how to say this diplomatically? The PTB types may not have wished to look smarter than the average bear? Even now, it is near inexplicable why AMTK ever cut loose the solid collection of BUDD Cars present at time the organization was put together.

For one thing, some of the BUDD Cars specialized "floor plans" for longer haul runs. Surely better than presence of AMFLEET units in the services! It has been established the solid BUDD designs with indefinite service lives, given routine upkeep.

On another front, seems to me there was a pandemic of dumb with scrapping of so many RDC Cars. No one has since done a satisfactory job of at least replicating!

Re: Through cars/commuter cars

« Reply #259 on: Apr 18th, 2012, 1:24pm »

Vern.....

Good points, and, and appreciate your input!

Recall, after the ALDENE PLAN cut all passenger service to the CNJ's Jersey City terminal in 1967, Reading's CRUSADER and WALL STREET became all-RDC consists, as Reading engines could no longer be serviced and turned at the CNJ's Communipaw engine terminal.

Though these trains were techically "through" trains (JC-Philadelphia), they were basically glorified commuter runs, serving the well-heeled "banker's crowd" from far beyond the end of CNJ's suburban zone.

The BUDD cars, once again, proved their legendary versatality, serving on these runs until they were abandoned in the early 80's.....